FAU supports in-state tuition for immigrants

Florida Atlantic University has added its support to legislation that could allow many immigrant students to pay in-state tuition.

President John Kelly, who started this month, wrote in his blog Thursday that it's unfair for undocumented immigrants who grew up in Florida to pay more than triple the in-state tuition rate.

"For all intents and purposes they are Americans," he wrote. "Yet in many states, including Florida, they face a barrier in gaining access to the one thing that has the greatest potential to maximize their ability to contribute to our society: higher education."

He said he was joining FAU's student government and other groups in calling for an end to the practice.

"I couldn't be prouder. It's a great beginning for this president," said FAU trustee Jeffrey Feingold.

Several bills in the Legislature would allow these students to qualify for in-state tuition if they attend a Florida high school for three consecutive years immediately before graduating high school and then apply to enroll in college within 24 months after graduation.

"It's the fair thing to do, and it will pay dividends in the future by expanding Florida's college-educated workforce," Kelly wrote.

Right now, students without full legal status have to pay out-of-state tuition. At FAU, an in-state student pays about $6,000 a year for 30 credit hours; an undocumented student must pay about $21,000.

The presidents of other schools, including Florida State University and the University of Florida, have also supported the proposal. Florida International University is currently using discretionary dollars to subside out-of-state tuition for some immigrant students.